Gyroscopic apparatus for torpedoes



Feb. 20; 1923.

- E. A. SPERRY.

GYROSCOPIC APPARATUS FOR TORPEDOES.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- FILED AUG-25,1915.

[NI/EMMA LMR H. SPERRY Feb. 20, 1923. w 1,446,276.

' y El Al I I GYROSCOPIC APPARATUS FOR TORPEDOES.

FILED AuG.26, 1915. I s SHEETS-SHEET s.-

' INVENTOR.

BY ELMER A5 EH-TY 1 Patented Feb. 2%, 1923.

stares.

ELIVLEB A. SPEERY, OF BROOKLYN, -NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR "3C0 SPEERY GYROSCOBE (10., 0F BROOKLYN, NEN YGRK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GYROSCOPIC APPARATUS FOR TOBPEDOES.

Application filed August 28, 1915. Serial No. 47,550.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it Known that 1, Emma A. SPERRY,

citizen of the United States of America, re-

n s. While the existin t e of roscone enr lo ed in this connection has iroved satisfactory for short ranges, serius faults have developed in the modern lo g range torpedo. It is the object of the present invention to overcome these defects and to produce a gyroscopic apparatus which will be dependable under all conditions.

In such apparatus, as at present constructed, a single gyroscope is employed which is spun to a high speed before the torpedo is launched. After launching, the driving force is withdrawn, so that during unire run, the gyroscope spins alone by its own momentum, with the result that its speed constantly diminishes. This diminution in the number of revolutions results not only in the loss of directi've power oi the yroscope, but actually causes deviation, and an increase in any small precessional movements that may have been set up. Another error that occurs with the present type of gyroscope on torpedoes has long puzzled workers in the art. The error seems to be due to the rotation and curvature the earth, the latter factor being due to the high speed of the torpedo. The former error alone amounts to as much as a degree every four minutes. By departing entirely the existing types of torpedo gyros, l have been able to construct an apparatus wh ch eliminates all of the above mentioned defects by its fundamental principles of design.

Referring to the drawings in which what i now consider to be the preferred forms of invention are illustrated, Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the rearward portion of a torpedo, showing my improved mechanisin installed therein. Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of my invention. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of my preferred form of gyroscopic unit. Fig. l is a rear elcc re ration of the same. Fig. 5 is a section of one of the gyroscopes. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on. line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a tail showing modified form of contacts to; the gyroscopic unit. Fig. 8 is a detail of one of the trolley contacts. I

in Fig. l, i is the hull, 2 the propellers and 13 the rudders of a torpedo. Only so much of the interior mechanism is shown as is necessary to explain the invention. e usual steering engine is represented at while 5 is the casing for the gyroscopic apparatus 0. For driving the gyroscope or ".oscopes, I employ an electric generator lriven preferably from the torpedo drivugine or turbine, as by being geared the )IC eller shaft 8 throu h ear 9 and oinion Ll). ireterably the connections be ween the generator and said shaft are such that the generator is driven from said shaft,

but is free to run independently of said sh ft, when supplied with an auxiliary drivg Such connection may be termed ne way connection and is preferably con structed by equipping the hub 11 of gear 9 with an internal ratchet 12 with which pawls 13 mounted on shaft 8 are adapted engage.

ii ly gyroscopic unit comprises two or more oppositely driven gyroscopes lei and i-in electric motor, preferably of the A. induction type, is associated with each 9 builtin as a part of the gyroscope itself. The casings 96 may or may not be exhausted, as desired.

By employing this type of motor for each gyro and driving all motors from the same generator, I am enabled to secure equal speeds for the gyros, a condition which is highly important for their successful operation' in Fig. 5, the stator 16, on which all the windings are placed, is mounted within the rotor thereby securing the maximum moment of inertia for the gyro. The rotor journaled on the stator shaft 18, as by ball bearings 19. A gear 20 may be prorided on an extension 2i from each rotor so that the gyros may be initially spun by the usual form spinning mechanism, if desired. Such mechanism is represented diagrammatically, only, as it forms no part of the present invention. A. turbine wheel 22, 22 may be used for each gyro, being mounted .on the same shafts 23 as gears ill s L. gyro, being 2a, which are adapted to be brought into mesh with 'pinions 20, when the mechanism is operatin Compressed air from the torpedo reservoir is supplied to the Wheels through conduit 25 and tangential nozzles Bolts 28, which enter sockets 29 in members 250 secured to the gyro casings 96, hold the gyros in a fixed position, while being driven in this manner. A timing mechanism (not shown) is provided, which after a given number of revolutions (su'liicient to spin the gyroscope to the required speed) brings about a sudden displacement of the sleeve 90 which carries the turbine shaft, whereby the turbine 22 and pinion 24: are displaced from their initial positions to the positions shown in if 3; a projection 91 from the sleeve engages the bolt 28 and withdraws this by the same movement. It results that the fly wheel is no longer driven and the gyroscope is unlocked and set free.

' mounted in horizontal Both gyros are trunnions ill and in a common frame which is journaled on vertical pivots 3 in a fixed portion .35 of the torpedo. Slip rings and brushes 39 may be used at-these points to bring in the current to the gyros. Frame 33 is provided with a gear designed to mesh with a pinion 51 on the shaft of a reversible rotor .20. Suitable contacts l2, a l and d5, hereinafter described, control the motor by being connected to the opposed lield windings 52 and of the motor. I iind direct current to be preferable for drivingthis motor, as well as the electrically controlled steering mechanism (not shown in detail) for the torpedo, which is represented in the wiring diagram by solenoids 54-, 55 and switch The two casings leiand 15 are connected for equal and opposite precession about their horizontal axes as by means of gear sectors 36, 37. By this simple construction I am enabled to overcome the chief diiiiculty connected with this type of gyro-apparatus, namely, the error arising from the earths rotation, since any tendency for the axis of one gyro to rise is opposed by the equal and opposite tendency oi? the other gyro. I also employ novel means to overcome the errors due to friction about the vertical axis oi the support, thereby preventing the gyros irom wandering. This comprises a contact device which is closed as soon as either precesses beyond a predetermined point, and which operates the motor 41-0, rei erred to above. This device may be located upon. one of the gyros 1% or 15 and upon a bracket '13 fixed to frame 33. It is shown as comprising a trolley pivotally mounted on a base 42 secured to gyro i l, and a curved contact strip on bracket a3. Said strip is composed oi two conducting sections l5 and d6 (Fig. 2) separated by a dead section 4- The trolley normally rests on the dead section, but a precession of the nae-cave gyro in either direction will cause a circuit to be comp eted through motor 4-0 as shown in Fig. 2. This will exert a torque about the vertical axis causing the gyro to process back to its central position. it should be noted that the contact is so located that it. is closed only by precession of the gyros and cannot be closed by inclination of the whole frame The contact device is preferably duplicated on the gyro 15, as shown, whereby a more perfect balance and greater reliability are secured and th error due to backlash oi the gear teeth overcome. Ihe insulated section is preferably provided with a depressed portion a? so that when the trolley runs on said section, it will exert a centralizing eii'ect on the gyros, due to the tension of the trolley spring 90.

lin all gyroscopic apparatus which is designed to maintain a level on the surface of the earth, it has been found desirable to provide the apparatus with an eccentric weight designed to cause precession about the vertical axis of the instrument at exactly the required rate to keep the instrument in a ven position. This rate of precession varies l'rou'i 360 in 2% hours in a clockwise direction at. the north pole through zero at the equator to 360 in hours in a counter-clockwise direction at the south pole. To take care oi? these varying conditions, I have devised the adjustable weight. T0, supported from the clan'ippivot Ti, and balanced when in its vertical position by the weight of ear 20. Hence this position is the correct one for the equator. In nortn latitude, the bob T0 is swung out and adjusted so that it points to the corresponding graduation on thd circular scale 12, while in south latitude it is swung in. Jilly device possesses the further advan tage that the scale need not he graduated with a special scale, but is simply laid out. in degrees. This feature is due to the fact that the moment of the weight required is proportional to the cosine of the latitude, while my device secures this result by providing a on niar means of adjustment which while it is mo d through an equal are for each degree of change in latitude, the moment applied is proportional to the cosine of the an le it makes with its normal position.

As above noted, while alternating current terred i'r'or orivin the gyros. direct H i h .eit is better adapted tor the :u iliary ie within the same frame as dynamo 1c. is driven from the same source of power. enerator may also be used to excite the Ield 62 of dynamo 7.

For spinning the gyros prior to or during the laimching the air driven mechanism above described may be employed, but, when the ship on which the torpedo is stored is provided with suitable sources of electric current, other methods may be found preferable. Thus where the ship is equipped with a D. C. generator 61 of proper voltage, the generator 60 may be connected thereto and run as a motor, thereby driving dynamo i and supply current to the gyros. When being so driven, the pawl and ratchet conncction, 12, 13 above described, allows the generator 7 to rotate independently of shaft 2:5. If, however, it is desired to drive shaft 8 with its attached parts, also, so as to bring it up to speed before the main driving motor is started, a sliding key 63 may be provided to lock gear 9 to shaft 8.

An automatic double-throw switch 64: may be provided to break at 65 the current of generator (31 with the dynamo-electric machine ('30 as the torpedo is launched and to close at ($6 the external circuit of machine (it) so that it will operate as a generator to drive motor 40 and the control solenoids 5%, Current may be introduced into the torpedo through socket 95. To form this socket an opening 195 is made in the wall of the torpedo. so that the contact finger or sockets do not project beyond the shell 1. The opening is of'course closed at its base 196, to prevent water getting into the torpedo. The complementary portion 97 of the switch is designed to be automatically jerked out as the torpedo is launched, but after switch 64: it thrown. Contactor 9i and the catch against which switch 64: strikes are of course preferably supported by the torpedo tube. Such parts are not illustrated but, like mechanism is well known in this art, as shown for instance in the patent to Shonnard 1,035,647Method of fire control for torpedoes.

The linkage which operates the said catch and withdraws the plug 97 may be operated from the teams employed to release the torpedo in the tube, if desired, the plug being withdrawn in a similar fashion as usually employed to withdraw the locking bolt.

On the other hand, if the ship is equipped with an A. C. generator 67 of the proper characteristics, the gyros may be initially spun up by connecting them directly to gencratoi' (37. as by means of switch 68, which may also be of the automatic type.

It should be understood that some form of locking means such as bolts 28 and sockets. 2! should be used. even when air starting is not ei'nployed, since it is important that the gyros be given a predetermined initial position and that they be held fixed while acccierating.

In all of the forms of starting devices,

the the apparatus should be so designed that generator 7, after launching, will drive the gyros with at Last as great speed as the initial speed of rotation; that is, there should be no diminution in speed of the gyros. I find it preferable, however, to design the generators so that the gyros are aclerated thereby beyond their initial speed of rotation. By this arrangement precessional oscillations are quickly suppressed and any slight angle of elevation that the gyro axis may have assumed in launching is eliminated. When a D. G. generator 61 on the ship is used to start the gyros, the speed may be properly adjusted by a rheostat 69.

in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, T have herein described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I new con sider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be. carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in- :he combination and relations described, some or these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such ue. Thus Fig. 7 shows a modilied form of contact device for operating the motor 40 on the gyros. "According to this modification, I mount contact strips 100, 101, 100 and 101 directly on a portion of each rotor casing, preferably onthe gear sectors 36 and 37, the strips being separated as before by insulating pieces 102 and 103. These strips are placed on the pitch circle of the gear teeth, being arranged to roll upon each other as indicated, and are insulated from the gears by insulation 103. This arrangement does away with the use of any extra parts such as brackets -13 and d3 on the frame 35.

Having described my invention, what It claim and desire to secure bv Letters Patent is: i

1. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope. an electric motor associated with the gyroscope, a dynamo driven from the torpedo driving engine. means independent of said torpedo engne for starting said gyroscope prior to the launching. and means for throwing out said last named means and for causing said dynamo to drive saidmotor, when launching the torpedo.

2. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with the gyroscope, a dynamo driven from the torpedo driving engine. and means whereby said motor may be driven from an external source of supply prior to launching.

iii

The combination with an automobile torpedo, ot a gyroscope, an Jr. C. motor associated with e gyroscope, electrical means for controlling the torpedo from so id gyroscope, and an A. 0-D. (3. generator driven i'rom the torpedo drivinaiengine for actuating said motor and said means.

The combination with an automol'le torpedo, ot' a gyr scope, an electric motor a-.,.ociated with said gyroscope, a generator for driving said motor. a dynamo-electric machine connected to said generator, means whereby said machine may be supplied with current from an exterior source to drive said generator prior to launching, and means for driving said generator by a prime mover tter launching.

5. The combination with an automobile torpedo, oi a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with said gyroscope, electrical means for cont lling tl.e torpedo from the gyroscope, a generator for driving said motor, a dynamo-electric machine connected to said generator, means whereby said machine may be supplied wita current from an exterior source to drive said generator prior to launching, means for driving both oi. said machines by a prime mover a'iter launching and means for exciting said elec trical controlling means from said dynamo-electric machine.

6. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, a motor for driving the gyroscope, electrical means for controlling the steering oi the torpedo "from the gyroscope, and a dynamo-electric machine driven from the torpedo driving engine for actuating both said motor am. said means.

7. The combination with an automobile togpedo, of a plurality of gy roscopes, an induction. motor associated with each gyroscope, and a single A. C. generator driven by a prime mover within the torpedo for driving all the motors, whereby all the gyroscopes are maintained at the name speed.

8. In an automobile torpedo, a gyroscopic steering mechanism including apair of oppositely rotating gyroscopes coupled for opoosite precession.

9. The combination with an automobile torpedo, 01'? a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with the gyroscope, a dyi'iamo driven by a prime mover wit it; the torpedo for drivin said motor to a predetermined speed, and means whereby said motor may be driven from an external source of supply to a speed somewhat less than said predetermined speed;

10. it. torpedo, a source of power supply for propelling the torpedo, gyro steering equipment for the torpedo, a spinning means "For said equipment for initially spinning the gyros to a predetermined speed, and a second spinning means for materially accelerating and maintaining said spin after the launching of the torpedo, both of said means being arranged to derive its energy from said in am power source.

ll. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with the gyroscope, a dynamo driven from a prime mover within the terpedo, and means whereby said motor may be driven. from an external source of supply t'or starting the gyroscope.

12. In an automobile torpedo, ot' a plurality oi gyroscopes, interconnected about their precession axes, an electric motor associated with each gyroscope, means for initially spinning the gyros in opposite directions and a generator within the torpedo for driving said motors and maintaining said spin.

133. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, a motor for driving the gyroscope, electrical means for controlling the position of the gyroscope and a dynamo-electric machine for actuating both said motor and said means.

14;. The combination with an automobile torpedo, ot a pair of interconnected gyroscopes, a motor for each gyroscope, electrical. means for centralizing the gyroscopes, and a. dynamo-electric machine within the torpedo for actuating both of said motors and said means.

15. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a pair of interconnected gyroscopes, a motor tor each gyroscope, electrical means for controlling the steering of the torpedo from the gyroscopes, electrical means for centralizing the gyroscopes, and a dynamo-electric machine within the torpedo tor actuating both of said motors and said means.

16. A torpedo, a source of power supply for propelling the torpedo, an electrically spun gyro steering equipment for the torpedo, a spinning means for said equipment for initially spinning the gyro to a predetermined speed and a second spinning means including an electric motor for materially accelerating and maintaining said spin after he launching of the torpedo, both of said means being arranged to derive its energy from said main power source.

17. In a torpedo, the combination with a gyroscopic steering gear of an electric motor for driving the gyroscope, a source of electrical supply within the torpedo, means for establishing an electric circuit to the torpedo from an external supply source for spinning the gyroscope, and means for breaking such circuit and establishing a circuit between said interior source of supply and said motor.

18. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, an A. C. motor associated with the gyroscope, an A. C. generator driven from the main power source ea ers in the torpedo for actuating said motor, and a l). C. generator driven by said main power sourc adapted to excite the field of said A. C. generator.

19. The combination with an automobile torpedo of a gyroscope, an A. C. motor associated with the gyroscope an A. C. generator driven from the main power source or the torpedo for actuating the said motor and a D. C. generator driven by said main power source, a mechanical connection between said generators, and means whereby said I). generator may be driven as a motor prior to the startingof said power source whereby said A. C. generator is caused to actuate said motor.

2U. lhe combination with a torpedo of a gyroscope, an A. C. motor associated wi h the gyroscope, an A. C. generator driven from the main source of the torpedo tor actuating said motor and a D. C. generator driven by said main power source adapted to excite the field or said A. C. generator, a mechanical connection between said generators and means whereby said D. C. generator may be driven as a motor prior to the starting of said power source.

21. The combination with 'a torpedo of z. gyroscope, an A. C. motor associated with the gyroscope, electrical means for controlling the torpedo from said gyroscope, an A. C. generator for actuating said motor, a D. C. generator for actuating said means. both of said generators being driven from the torpedo power source, and means for driving said A. C. 'enerator by employing the D. (7. generator as a motor prior to the. launching.

The combination with a torpedo, of an electric motor gyroscope therein. a dynamo therein adapted to be driven from the main power source within the torpedo tor driving said gyroscope, and means for conveying energy from without the torpedo to said dynamo for spinning said gyros-:ope prior to launching.

Thecombination with a torpedo, of an electric motor gyroscope therein, a cynamo therein adapted to be driven from the main power source within the torpedo for driving said gyroscope, a motor connected with said dynamo, and means for conveying energy trom without the torpedo to said motor for spinning the said dynamo and said gyroscope prior to launching.

24. The. combination of a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, of an electric motor gyroscope, an external source of electrical energy for spinning said gyroscope, a source of energy carried by the torpedo for maintaining the spinning of said gyroscope, and means for conveying electrical energy to the gyroscope from the last named source when the energy from the external source is discontinued.

25. The combination of a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, an electric motor gyroscope therein contained, an external source of electric l energy for spinning said gyroscope, an internal source or energy for maintaining the spinning o1 said gyroscope, and means for automatically conyeying electrical energy to the gyroscope from the internal source when the energy from the external source is discontinued.

26. The combination of a gyroscopically controlled torpedo, an electric motor gyroby the said dynamo prior to launching.

28. The combination with. an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with the gyroscope, a dynamo driven from the torpedo driving engine, and means independent of the torpedo driving engine for operating said dynamo to start said gyroscope prior to launching.

29. In a torpedo, an electric motor gyroscope, a dynamo for operating said motor, means for operating the dynamo prior to launchin and means for maintaining is C1 d. operation subsequently.

30. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with the. gyroscope, a dynamo driven from the torpedo driving engine. and external means for driving said dynamo prior to launchin 31. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with the gyroscope. a dynamo adapted to be driven from the torpedo driving engine, and means whereby said motor may 36 driven-from said dynamo prior to launching.

32. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of a gyroscope, an electric motor associated with said gyroscope, a generator iordriving said motor, a motor connected to said generator, means whereby said motor may be supplied with current from an exterior source to drive said generator prior to launching, and means for driving said generator by av prime mover after launching;

The combination with a. torpedo and torpedo launching tube, of steering mechanism within the torpedo, an electric-motor gyroscope for controlling said mechanism, a dynamo-electric machine. within the torpedo for driving said gyroscope, means for establishing an electric circuit to said machine through the walls of the torpedo, and means ior breaking said circuit.

3%. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of electrically actuated mechanism therein contained, a dynamo-electric "1achine for supplying said mechanism with current, and means for driving said machiiu= from a source without the torpedo prior to launching.

The combination with an automobile torpedo, of electrically actuated mechanism therein contained, a dynamo-electric m" chine for supplying said mechanism w. current, means whereby said machine n; be driven from a source of power within the torpedo, and means for driving said machine from a source without the torpedo prior to launching.

36. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of electrically actuated mechani m therein contained, generator for supply said mechanism with current, a motor connected to said generator, means whereby said motor may be supplied with current from an exterior source to drive said gener-tor prior to launching, and means for driving said generator by a prime mover after launching.

37. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of an electrically spun gyroscope therein contained, means for spinning said gyroscope comprising a dynamo-electric ma chine within the torpedo, and means for driving said machine prior to launching.

88. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of an electrically spun gyroscope therein contained, means "for spinning said gyroscope comprisin a dynamo-electric machine within the to pedo, and means for driving said machine from a source of power without the torpedo prior to launching.

39. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of an electrically spun gyroscope therein contained, means for spmnmg said gyroscope comprising a coupled generator and motor within the torpedo and means whereby said motor may be supplied with current to drive said generator prior to launching.

40. The combination with an automobiletorpedo, of electrically actuated mechanism therein contained, a dynamo-electric machine for supplying said mechanism with current, a one way driving connection between the torpedo engine and said machine, and means for driving said machine lrom a source without the torpedo.

a l. The combination with an automobile torpedo, of electrically actuated mechanism therein contained, a generator for supplying said mechanism with current, a motor connected to said generator, means whereby said motor may be supplied with current from an'exterior source to drive said gGDPT- ator prior to launching, and a one way driving connection between the torpedo engine and said generator for driving it after launching.

42. In an automobile torpedo, the combination with a gyroscopic steering gear for the torpedo, of an electric motor for driving the gyroscope, means whereby an electric current may be carried within the torpedo from an externalsupply source for spinning the gyroscope, means for breaking such circuit, and means on the torpedo for supply ing said motor with energy after launching.

48. in a torpedo, an electric motor gyroscope, a propeller shaft, an engine for driving the same, a source of power for the en-- gine, a dynamo adapted to be driven by the said shaft and means independent of said source of power for driving the propeller shaft.

44. In a torpedo, an electric motor gyroscope,,a dynamo for driving said'motor, a member operable from an internal source of supply for driving said dynamo, and external means for operating said member prior to launching.

45. In a torpedo, propelling means, an electric motor g roscope, means for initially operating the gyroscope comprising a dynamo driven by said propelling means, and means for starting the propelling means.

46. In a torpedo, propelling means, a dynamo driven by propelling means, and an electric motor gyroscope adapted to be spun initially upon the starting of the propelling means. l

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 24th day of August, 1915. ELMER A. SPERRY. 

